As part of Lee Fitzgerald’s re-design of the IEE building we designed the lighting for a number of areas, including the Entrance Foyer, Front of House facilities and Library. The lighting schemes provided not only appropriate flexibility for the multi-use facilities, but also complemented the period architecture and finishes.

The lighting for the main Lecture Theatre was designed earlier as part of RHWL’s refurbishment project. The lighting had to meet all the complex operational requirements of a state-of-the art lecture hall, whilst still allowing the warmth of the original mahogany panelling and impressive oil paintings to be revealed. Fibre optics were integrated into the decorative ceiling, designed by artist Tony Raymond, which shows the magnetic declination from 1871 (when the Institution was founded) to 2001, with each light point representing a decade.

Within the Entrance Foyer a combination of discrete spots and downlights were used to highlight wall plaques, artwork and sculptures, with more traditional style pendants and wall lights providing soft and general illumination.

Our approach for lighting the Library was to preserve the period ambience by integrating traditionally styled pendants and task lights with contemporary wallwash fittings that illuminated the bookshelves, resulting in a well-lit and comfortable space.